Two-day festival to rock for dad who lost cancer battle

A two-day music festival is set to raise the roof, and some cash for charity in March.

Organised by Mansfield born Graham Parker, ‘Mac-Stock’ is hoped to raise thousands for Macmillan at the Black Market, Warsop, with 20 acts running on Friday night (March 25) and across Saturday from noon until midnight.

Graham Parker and his dad Roy doing karaoke together.

Graham, who now lives in Sheffield, said the festival was a thank you to the charity after losing both his sister and father to cancer.

Graham praised the nurses for the supporting his dad, Roy, before he lost his cancer battle in 2010.

He said: ““Our family was fortunate enough to get a lot of support from Macmillan nurses while my dad was battling with cancer. Without their support and care I’m not sure how we would have coped at times. They are incredible and deserve all the support we can offer.

“I’m hopeful that Mac-Fest will take me over the £6,800 I aim to raise in memory of my dad and my sister who was also taken by cancer.

“It would be great to see The Black Market full of people enjoying themselves watching the great acts we have lined up while raising funds to support Macmillan.”

Fundraiser Graham, 53, remembers his father six years after losing him to cancer on February 24, 2010.

He said: “My dad was a big man with a big personality that could command a room. He had eight children and was a retired ex-miner at Rufford Colliery, and spent much of his time on his allotment.

“He died from lung cancer a few weeks after his 68th birthday, and Mac-stock will be on my birthday, so that’s going to be emotional.

The heartborken son has a particluar desire to support Macmillan as his sister was also taken by cancer in 2002, aged 39.

He added: “The major thing we all got from Macmillan was the care, consideration and time the nurses and staff were able to offer.

“The willingness to be there to talk to, to offer advice on coping, not just with the cancer as my dad had to do alone, but with the wider impact on the family as we tried to support him and each other.

“The toll it takes on a family when a member is battling against cancer can be substantial as everyone tries to be strong for each other and themselves.

“Having a Macmillan nurse to talk to when you feel at rock bottom is a massive help.”

Former member of the Specials, Neville Staple has had a 35-year career in the music industry and continues to thrill audiences with his own ensemble, The Neville Staple Band.